Adonai Center makes a change for Black males

In June, the Adonai Center took a group of students to Washington, D.C., where they were able to meet with Rev. Jesse Jackson. This week, 20 students in the program will be going on a college tour to visit seven colleges and universities.Participants in the program have the opportunity to interact with positive male role models who serve as mentors. With the help of corporate partners, they also have the opportunity to explore different career fields and potential employment.

“You see summer job rates for youth declining throughout the region. So you have these kids out here getting in to trouble and looking for other ways to make money,” Carter said. “I’m looking at helping the next generation. We put in a lot of time to really cultivate and develop the talents of these young men so they too have a chance at the American dream.”

While the Adonai Center started as a summer program for approximately 50 students, it has grown to a year-round operation working with students in several different schools throughout Allegheny County. The Center’s initial funding came from a $25,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation five years ago. Now they receive their funding from private donors.